Automatic porting mechanism

ABSTRACT

An automatic porting mechanism on a launchable device for latching a bore rider when said device is moved in one direction and for unlatching a bore rider when said device is moved in an opposite direction. The bore rider is pivotally attached to a slidable plug which closes an orifice in the launchable device. A lip on the bore rider is engageable with a shoulder adjacent the orifice to prevent ejection of the bore rider until forward movement of the device relative to a launcher unlatches the bore rider.

United States Patent Tiemann 1 July 15, 1975 [54] AUTOMATIC PORTING MECHANISM 3,395,640 8/1968 Taylor 102/16 3,532,057 10 1970 A b 102 7 1751 inventor: Ralph Tiemann, Arcadla, Cahf- 3,576,165 4/1971 o wifc k lO2/76 R [73] Assignee: The United States of America as 3,807,306 4/1974 Alper et a1 102/49.6

represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Assistant Examiner-Harold Tudor [22] Flled: 1974 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-R. S. Sciascia; Paul S. 211 App]. No.: 450,939 Colllgnon 57 ABSTRACT [52] U5. Cl. 102/76 R; 102/16 1 151 Im. (:1. F42C 15/00 5 aummatc Pmtmg mechamsm a launchable [58] Field of Search 102/76 78 79 80 9O vice for latching a bore rider when said device is 60 1 4 moved in one direction and for unlatching a bore rider i 1 2 1 when said device is moved in an opposite direction. The bore rider is pivotally attached to a slidable p1ug 56] References Cited which closes an orifice in the launchable device. A lip UNITED STATES PATENTS on the bore rider is engageable with a shoulder adjacent the orifice to prevent ejection of the bore rider 3,108,818 2/1938 Huffet 211.. 102/76 R until forward movement of the device relative to a i 523E 1 launcher unlatches the bore rider. 2.755.738 7/1956 Jones, Jr. et al 102/78 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 3,093,076 6/1963 Blomgren 85/].5 D

AUTOMATIC PORTING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various devices, such as light and smoke signals, are launched into the ocean from a launch tube on a surface ship or submarine and require a vent or port which must remain sealed prior to launch. During deployment and operation, the port must be opened, and remain opened, to permit the free passage of gas and/or water.

One widely used system for initiating pyrotechnic or explosive devices uses a seawater battery which is activated by flooding with sea water. The battery, when energized, normally ignites a squib which, in turn, ignites a main charge. By way of example, in US. Pat. No. 3,395,640, entitled, Sea Water Triggered Electrical Energy Source," which issued Aug. 6, 1968, to James W. Taylor, there is described an integrally housed electrical power source which is automatically triggered by pulling a lanyard and immersion in ocean water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a porting mechanism which remains sealed prior to launch, opens during launch and remains open thereafter. In the event of an abort. the porting mechanism automatically relatches during removal of the device from the launching tube.

An opening is provided in the side of a housing containing a pyrotechnic or explosive device and the opening is closed by a plug. A spring is provided for ejecting the plug during launch. A bore rider is pivotally attached to the plug and has a latch for latching the bore rider to the housing. When the bore rider enters a launching tube, movement toward the launchers muzzle will unlatch the bore rider and movement in the opposite direction, such as that caused by removal of the device from the launcher, will automatically relatch the bore rider to the housing.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a porting mechanism which can be automatically latched and unlatched by its movement inside a launcher.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing an automatic porting mechanism in a latched position;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing an automatic porting mechanism in an unlatched position in a launching tube;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing a device having an automatic porting mechanism being removed from a launching tube; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a device having an automatic porting mechanism being launched from a launching tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a portion of a housing 11 that might contain either an explosive or a pyrotechnic composition which, when ignited, is used for signaling purposes. Housing 1 1 has a passage 12 that communicates between a bore 13 and another compartment which, by way of example, might contain a sea water battery. A plug 14 is slidably positioned in bore 13 and has an O-ring 15 which provides an airtight and water-tight seal. A bore rider 16 is provided with a ball portion 17 that fits into a socket l8 and thus bore rider 16 is pivotable relative to plug 14. The end of bore rider 16 that is opposite ball portion 17 is radiused and is engageable with the inner surface of a launcher 19.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a counterbore 21 is provided in housing 11 and the center of counterbore 21 is offset a distance X from the centerlines of bore 13 and plug 14. A semi-circular recess 22 is provided in housing 11 adjacent counterbore 21 and forms a shoulder 23. A lip 24 is provided on bore rider l6 and is engageable with a protrusion or shoulder 23. A coil spring 25 is provided in bore 13 and provides a biasing force on plug 14.

OPERATION FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings show a porting mechanism in a latched position. Bore rider 16 is pivoted forward and lip 24 is positioned in recess 22. Spring 25 applies a biasing force on plug 14 so that lip 24 is retained by shoulder 23. FIG. 3 of the drawing shows the porting mechanism of the present invention in a device that is positioned in a launcher 19. As the device is loaded into launcher 19, the radiused end of bore rider 16 engages the inner wall surface of launcher 19 and spring 25 is compressed a short distance as plug 14 moves inwardly, and lip 24 on bore rider 16 is no longer engaged with shoulder 23. As housing 11 moves forwardly during loading, friction between the radiused end of bore rider 16 and the inner wall surface of launcher 19 causes bore rider 16 to be pivoted toward the rear of housing 11, and lip 24 is no longer positioned in recess 22. As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, when housing 11 leaves launcher 19, spring 25'ejects plug 14 and passage 12 is opened to the ambient environment. For example, if a sea water battery is to be energized, sea water can enter bore 13 and passage 12.

FIG. 4 of the drawings, shows housing 11 being removed from launcher l9. Rearward movement of bore rider 16 causes lip 24 to move into recess 22 and, when bore rider 16 clears launcher 17, spring 25 biases lip 24 against shoulder 23 and thus plug 14 remains latched in bore 13. As best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, recess 22 extends about around counterbore 21 and permits relatching of the mechanism in the event that housing 11 is rotated about its axis during removal from launcher 19.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides a porting mechanism that is automatically unlatched when a device is loaded into a launcher and, in the event the device is removed from the loading end of the launcher, the mechanism is automatically relatched.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing of a device launchable from a launcher having a loading end and a muzzle comprising,

an aperture in the side of said housing,

2. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bore rider is pivotally connected to said plug and said bore rider has a lip engageable with a protrusion on said housing.

3. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing as set forth in claim 2 wherein a ball is provided on one end of said bore rider and said ball is retained in a socket in said plug.

4. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing as set forth in claim 2 wherein said protrusion is semicircular in configuration. 

1. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing of a device launchable from a launcher having a loading end and a muzzle comprising, an aperture in the side of said housing, a plug slidably mounted in said aperture for closing said aperture, spring means biasing said plug outwardly for ejecting said plug, a bore rider attached to said plug and engageable with the inside surface of said launcher, and means foR automatically latching said bore rider with said housing when said device moves in said launcher toward said loading end and for automatically unlatching said bore rider from said housing when said device moves in said launcher toward said muzzle.
 2. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bore rider is pivotally connected to said plug and said bore rider has a lip engageable with a protrusion on said housing.
 3. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing as set forth in claim 2 wherein a ball is provided on one end of said bore rider and said ball is retained in a socket in said plug.
 4. An automatic porting mechanism for a housing as set forth in claim 2 wherein said protrusion is semi-circular in configuration. 